Earlier this year, John moved from Kenya to San Francisco to be closer to his daughter and her two children after his wife passed away. John now lives in the bustling Western Addition neighborhood, navigating a new country, a new community, and a new way of life.
One of the first ways he made himself at home was through classes at the Buchanan YMCA, including Tai Chi (which he’s very fond of), and other programs specifically for seniors in the area. Through these classes, he learned about the soon-to-open Western Addition Family Resource Center food pantry, a collaboration of the Buchanan YMCA, Urban Services YMCA, and the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.
With no income of his own and the high cost of living in San Francisco, John was looking for ways to ease the pressure on his family’s budget. Visiting the pantry for the first time in January was, as he put it, eye-opening. Each week since, he’s brought home fresh vegetables, tofu, cheese, and other staples that his daughter prepares into meals for the household. “The bills, the cost of living — it goes down.” he says.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Since the pantry opened in late January, the neighborhood’s only grocery store has closed, reducing nearby options for fresh, healthy food. This is especially hard on seniors like John, who face challenges traveling long distances.
To help meet that need, YMCA and the Food Bank created a pantry that not only provides nutritious food but reflects the diverse cultural traditions of the community. That commitment to culturally relevant food makes a difference for families like John’s.
Whether facing mobility challenges, high costs, or simply not knowing where to turn, neighbors now have a welcoming place to find the food they need and connect with others. For John, it means fresh vegetables and pantry staples that his daughter can cook into meals, and the chance to stay active and connected through YMCA classes as he settles into a new chapter of life.
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